NOA Warns Against Harmful Chemical Use In Food Preservation

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The National Orientation Agency (NOA) Kano State office has urged fruit, grain, and vegetable sellers to stop using harmful chemicals for food preservation, warning of serious health risks.

The Acting State Director of NOA, Alhaji Rabiu Ado, made the appeal during a public awareness campaign at Dawanau Grains Market and Nai’bawa Yan Lemu Fruits and Vegetables Market. The event was held in collaboration with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Ado condemned the increasing use of chemicals for food preservation, stressing that it could lead to life-threatening diseases such as kidney failure and hypertension.

Speaking at the event, NAFDAC Kano Assistant Director, Danladi Abba, specifically warned against the use of calcium carbide—a chemical meant for industrial welding, not food preservation. He described its use on food as “suicidal” and announced that NAFDAC will begin monitoring welders who purchase calcium carbide to prevent its illegal sale to food vendors.

“Anyone caught violating this regulation will face the full wrath of the law,” Abba warned.

In response, the Nigerian Fruit Sellers Association and the Dawanau Grains Market Association pledged to encourage hygienic food preservation methods.

“We have set up a task force to monitor grain preservation during fumigation,” said Dawanau Grains Market Chairman, Muttaqa Isah.

Other stakeholders, including SON and environmental health officials, attended the awareness campaign to support the initiative.

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